List of State Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Programs

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List of State Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Programs

Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Programs (TEDPs) provide free or low-cost equipment to qualified individuals to accommodate their hearing loss and improve phone access. While eligibility requirements, types of equipment covered, and benefit amounts vary from state to state, most TEDPs are administered along similar lines.

The HLAA has conducted a survey of the state programs to provide a single place to access information about these programs. For each state, a website is listed to find such data as eligibility requirements, the types of equipment made available, application forms, and points of contact. (The volume of information is too great to delineate.) The list includes two items of additional data,(i) the arrangements under which the equipment is provided to the recipients (loan, direct ownership, voucher), and (ii) the source of funding for each state program. The list also identifies those states where the TEDP is combined with its Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) program.

The Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Programs Association (TEDPA) may be found at: www.tedpa.org

ALABAMA
Name of Program: Alabama Telecommunications Access Program (ATAP)
Website: http://www.alabamarelay.com/atap.html
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipient for as long as necessary.
Funding Source: Surcharge applied to every landline consumer’s bill.

ARKANSAS
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
Website: http://ace.arkansas.gov
How Equipment Provided: Loaned for two (2) years after which it becomes property of the recipient.Funding Source: Monthly surcharge on telephone bills.

CALIFORNIA
Name of Program: Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP)
Website: http://ddtp.cpuc.ca.gov/HomePage.aspx?id=91&LangType=1033
Combined with Relay Services
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone bills.

COLORADO
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP)
Website: http://www.ccdhh.com/tedp/tedp.aspx
How Equipment Provided: Recipients own the equipment.
Funding Source: Surcharge on each telephone line.

CONNECTICUT
Telecommunications Relay Service Distribution Program
Website: http:// www.cdhi.ct.gov/cdhi/cwp/view.asp?a=2603&q=321676
Combined with Relay Services
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Telecommunications providers are assessed a proportionate amount based upon each provider’s gross revenues on both intrastate and interstate services.

DELAWARE
No Program.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
No Program.

FLORIDA
Name of Program: Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.
Website: http://www.ftri.org/
Combined with Relay Services.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on every telephone line.

GEORGIA
Name of Program: Georgia Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (GATEDP)
Website: http://gachi.org/?page_id=37
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge assessed on all Georgia residential land-based phone lines.

ILLINOIS
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC)
Website: www.itactty.org
Combined with Relay Services..
How Equipment Provided: (1) Voucher program for designated equipment. New vouchers may be issued every four (4) years. (2) Loan program for additional designated equipment. Recipient may keep as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone lines.

IOWA
Name of Program: Telecommunication Iowa (TAI)
Website: http://www.relayiowa.com/tai/
Combined with Relay Services
How Equipment Provided: Recipients can receive a voucher for approximately 95 percent of the average cost of specialized telephone equipment.
Funding Source: Telecommunication carriers in Iowa are subject to an assessment.

KANSAS
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
Website: https://atk.ku.edu/ks-tap
How Equipment Provided: Recipients are provided vouchers to acquire specialized equipment.
Funding Source: Telecommunications companies must contribute to the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) a percentage of retail revenues earned within Kansas. The companies may pass on the assessment to consumers.

KENTUCKY
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
Website: http://www.kcdhh.org/oea/tddprog.html
Combined with Relay Serrvices.
How Equipment Provided: Owned by the recipient.
Funding Source: Surcharge on both wired and wireless lines.

LOUISIANA
Name of Program: Louisiana School for the Deaf (LCD) Equipment Program
Website: http://www.lalsd.org/content.cfm?id=68
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Surcharge on telephone bills.

MASSACHUSETTS
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP)
Website: www.mass.gov/massedp
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all voice and data telephone lines.

MAINE
Name of Program: Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (DBEDP)
Website: http://mcdmaine.net/programs-and-resources/telecommunications-equipment-program-tep/
How Equipment Provided: Either (1) loaned as long as necessary or (2) cost-shared under which recipient pays a portion of the cost of the equipment and is the owner.
Funding Source: Communication Equipment Fund established by state law which is funded by federal and state sources funds.

Note: Maine has established a program that provides qualified low income seniors with hearing aids at no cost.

MINNESOTA
Name of Program: Telephone Equipment Distribution Program
Website: www.tedprogram.org
Combined with Relay Outreach
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to qualified recipients as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on wired and wireless telephone lines.

MISSISSIPPI
Name of Program: Relay Equipment Distribution Program (EDP)
Website: http://mississippirelay.com/edp.html
Combined with Relay Services
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients. For wireless devices, the loan period is two (2) years.
Funding Source: The Public Service Commission may impose upon all local exchange telephone companies a monthly relay service fee.

MISSOURI
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (includes both telephones (TAP-T) and internet (TAP-I)).
Website: http://www.at.mo.gov/tap.html
How Equipment Provided: Equipment owned by recipient, but certain items are loaned.
Funding Source: Relay surcharge on all telephone bills.

MONTANA
Name of Program: Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP)
Website: http://montanarelay.mt.gov
MTAP oversees the relay and provides an equipment distribution program for Montanans who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, speech or mobility disabled.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone lines.

NEBRASKA
Name of Program: Assistive Devices Loan Program
Website; http://www.ncdhh.ne.gov/services.html
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for a period of three (3) months.
Funding Source: Funding for recipients is provided by numerous programs. The guidelines for and eligibility requirements of these programs vary widely. The Assistive Technology Partnership’s Resource Specialist will research the various programs across the state to determine a person’s eligibility for funding assistance.

NEVADA
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program (EDP)
Website: http://www.dhharc.org
How Equipment Provided: Loaned for as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on wired and wireless phones.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Name of Program: Telecommunications Distribution Program
Website: http://www.ndhhs.org/services/NHTEDP.html
How Equipment Provided: (1) Lending Program: Long-term loan for recipients with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; (2) Cost Sharing Program: All other recipients are reimbursement 50% of the purchase price and own the equipment.
Funding Source: Direct financial assistance provided by the state.

NEW JERSEY
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program
Website: http://nj.gov/humanservices/ddhh/equipment
How Equipment Provided: Equipment is owned by recipients.
Funding Source: Funds are provided as part of the state budget.

NEW MEXICO
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
Website: http://www.cdhh.state.nm.us/TEDP.aspx
How Equipment Provided: Equipment loaned for a period of three (3) years.
Funding Source: Surcharge on landline and wireless phone service.

OHIO
No Statewide Program. The Deaf Modification Program, which covers all persons with hearing impairments, provides specialized equipment for owner-occupied residential properties and rental units located only within the corporate limits of Columbus, Ohio.

OKLAHOMA
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf.
Website: http://www.osd.k12.ok.us/edp/index.html
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Surcharge on telephone lines.

PENNSYLVANIA
Name of Program: Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP)
Website: http://disabilities.temple.edu/tddp
How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipient.
Funding Source: The TDDP is implemented by Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Supported in part by federal funding under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. Also funded by a Telecommunications Relay Service Program surcharge.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program
Website: www.scedp.org
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all residential and business telephone lines.

SOUTH DAKOTA
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP)
Website: http://www.sdrelay.com/tedp
Combined with Relay Services.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Access fee on each local exchange service line, each cellular phone, and each radio pager unit.

TENNESSEE
Name of Program: Telecommunication Device Access Program (TDAP)
Website: http://www.tn.gov/tra/consumerfiles/tdap.shtml
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients.
Funding Source: Telecommunications service providers with intrastate gross receipts greater than $5 million make proportionate contributions to the TDAP fund. The contribution factor for each provider is determined annually. Providers are prohibited from itemizing prorata contributions on consumers’ telephone bills.

TEXAS
Name of program: Specialized Telecommunications assistance Program (STAP)
Website: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/specialized-telecommunications-assistance-program-stap
How Equipment Provided: Vouchers, with a maximum dollar amount and printed with a general classification of device (amplified telephone, voice activated answering phone, etc.) are provided to recipients. The vouchers are exchanged with a registered vendor for the specific device selected by the recipient who takes ownership of the device.
Funding Source: Each telecommunications provider is required to pay a uniform amount into the “Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund.” Telecommunications providers are authorized to recover their assessments through a surcharge added to customers’ bills.

UTAH
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program
Website: http://www.relayutah.gov/equipment.html
Combined with Relay Services
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all landlines which is deposited into the Restricted Hearing Impaired Fund.

VERMONT
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (VTEDP)
Website: www.vtedp.org
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients. After receiving equipment, applicants must wait four years to apply again unless there are special circumstances to waive the waiting period.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all landline, cellular, and internet-based telephone bills.

VIRGINIA
Name of Program: Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
Website: http://www.vddhh.virginia.gov/tapabout.htm
Combined with Relay Services.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for trial period of 30 days to allow recipients to decide whether to keep, exchange, or return the equipment. If the equipment is kept for more than 30 days, the recipient retains ownership. However, equipment with an acquisition cost greater than $5000 is permanently loaned to the recipients.
Funding Source: State government appropriates funds on a biennial basis, but the amount can be adjusted annually through additional appropriations. The state also collects a Communications Tax from telecommunications providers of landline, wireless, satellite, cable, and internet-based services.

WASHINGTON
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
Website: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/hrsa/odhh/ted.shtml
How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipients. Equipment is transferred to recipients for free or after payment of a designated amount depending upon family size and income.
Funding Source: Excise tax paid by landline telephone customers.

WISCONSIN
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP)
Website: http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/assistanceprograms/tepp/tepp-ind.htm
How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipients after purchase using vouchers.
Funding Source: The TEPP is one of several programs paid for by the state Universal Service Fund (USF). Money is collected from telephone service providers for the USF.